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A well-shuffled deck

Sporting News, The, August 26, 2005 by Conor Nicholl

After spending eight-plus years in the minors with three different organizations, Cardinals rookie outfielder John Rodriguez, 27, finally got his chance. When starting left fielder Reggie Sanders broke his leg July 15, Rodriguez was called up to the majors after hitting 17 homers in his first 34 games at Class AAA Memphis. He then hit home runs oft of the Brewers' Ben Sheets and the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano in his first week in the majors. Rodriguez, who entered the week hitting .302 in 26 games, has been one of many surprising contributors for the banged-up Cardinals--and even he can't believe his success.

"Am I really here?" he says. "I feel like I don't want to pinch myself just yet"

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The Cardinals have a double-digit lead in the N.L. Central even though four regulars--catcher Yadier Molina, third baseman Scott Rolen, right fielder Larry Walker and Sanders--have spent considerable time on the disabled list. Last week against the Brewers, the Cardinals started five players, including Rodriguez, who had spent time at Class AAA this year.

Abraham Nunez, a nonroster player invited to spring training, has been with the team all season and has proved to be the Cardinals' most prized fill-in. He is hitting .309 and playing strong defense in place of Rolen at third.

"It's amazing," Brewers infielder Bill Hall says. "They just keep plugging guys in. They just keep on finding ways to win on a daily basis."

Rodriguez has supplied a lift with his energy as much as his bat. Rodriguez shows his enthusiasm before every inning, jogging to the foul line, stutter-stepping and then leaping over the chalk.

"It's something that I have always done since I first started playing in Little League," he says. "Anything I can do to get my legs going."

He jumped into the stands in pursuit of a foul ball at Dodger Stadium--missing the catch but gaining praise from his teammates.

"I think very little about my body when play," Rodriguez says. "I always go out there and play as hard as I can."

So far, the results of that attitude have been more than the Cardinals could have expected.

A well-shuffled deck

Sporting News, The, August 26, 2005 by Conor Nicholl

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